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Irish Can't Hold on to Lead, Fall 78-73 at Syracuse

Irish post season highs in made threes (15) and assists (21)

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SYRACUSE, N.Y.The road woes continued for Notre Dame men’s basketball (9-9, 1-6) on Saturday night in a 78-73 loss to Syracuse (12-6, 5-2) inside the JMA Dome. It was another game in which the Irish led for a majority, 26:19 in fact, leading as much as 12 points with 12:54 to play. However, the Orange ultimately closed the game on a 24-10 scoring run, stealing the victory from the Irish in the closing minutes. 

Notre Dame converted a season high 15 three-pointers in the game as Dane Goodwin, Trey Wertz, Nate Laszewski and Marcus Hammond all made at least three. As much as the three-ball gives, it also taketh, as ND missed eight of its last nine attempts from beyond the arc.

Notre Dame was also uncharacteristically in foul trouble, as the Orange scored all seven of its final points from the stripe when the game was tied at 71-all. 

The Irish dished out a season high 21 assists to their 27 made field goals. They were ledy by a season high 18 points from Hammond, as the graduate point guard made 4-of-7 from deep. 

In addition, Goodwin extended his double-digit scoring streak to six with 15 points tonight. He also dished out a career high six assists. 

Laszewski recorded his fourth double-double on the year and first since Southern Indiana on Nov. 16. The graduate forward earned 14 points and 10 rebounds. Next, Wert added 12 points and a season best seven boards. Lastly, JJ Starling added six points and two assists in his return home, for the freshman guard grew up right outside of Syracuse in Baldwinsville.  

How It Happened

The first half witnessed an Irish offense that was red-hot from beyond the arc as they connected on 9-for-18 from three. Wertz, Ryan, Hammond, Lawzewski and Goodwin all connected from deep as Wertz led with three treys. 

Now let’s backtrack, after a 1-for-6 start from the field, the Irish finished the rest of the half 13-for-20. Goodwin ignited the offense early, reaching double-digit points by 10:35 on the clock, which gave ND a 23-19 lead. 

It was also nice to see Ven-Allen Lubin healthy and back in the lineup as his slam dunk at 7:39 capped a 9-for-12 stretch from the field, tying the game at 26–all. 

For as efficient as Notre Dame was from the field (54 percent), the Orange were able to trade blow-for-blow, as the half featured seven ties and eight lead changes. Three treys in the final 3:50, including two from Wertz, led to an Irish 40-36 halftime lead. 

The Irish air raid from deep continued in the second half. In fact, five of Notre Dame’s first seven made field goals were three-pointers, opening up a 59-47 lead at the 12:18 media timeout. 

Despite a pair of nice fast-break layups from Hammond, Syracuse responded in a major way with a 13-4 run to cut the deficit to one possession at 63-60 at the 7:58 media timeout. 

The Irish had missed five in a row until Laszewski successfully recorded and and-one to make it 66-61 with seven mintues remaining. 

Fast forward to three minutes remaining and a Syracuse three gave the Orange a lead at 69-68, but on the next possession, Hammond buries a three for the response – 71-69 Irish. 

However, that would mark the last field goal for Notre Dame until a Laszewski layup with seven seconds left. as the Orange steal it 78-73. 

Up Next

Notre Dame will host two games inside Purcell this coming week starting with a special “Irish Wear Green” game against Florida State on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m – and yes the Irish will be donning green jerseys. There will also be a special green shirt giveaway for students as well. Notre Dame then caps off the week with Boston College on Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. 

— ND –